Stephen Okechukwu Keshi is dead! He was Nigeria’s
former football coach. He died in the early hours of Wednesday the 8th
of June, 2016 in Benin City in Nigeria after suffering a cardiac arrest. The
former international football player and coach had earlier lost his wife of 35 years,
Kate to cancer last year.
News had it that he never got over his wife’s death.
A close friend to the family said “He was not ill
at all, never showed any signs of illness, but we suspect he never got
over the death of his wife,” He is
survived by four children and his mother.
He was a member of the 1994 team. And
unfortunately the 5th to die in that team. Others are Uche Okafor,
Thompson Oliha, Rashidi Yekini and Wilfred Agbonavbare.
He was popularly known as the “Big Boss” for his
leadership skills. He is so far the only Nigerian coach to have won the Africa Cup
of Nations. He has coached Togo, Mali and Nigeria for the World Cup football
competitions.
His family has released a statement announcing
his death. Please read statement below. Emmanuel Ado stated that he has gone to
be with his wife.
“With thanksgiving to God, the Ogbuenyi Fredrick
Keshi family of Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State,
announces the death of Mr. Stephen Okechukwu Chinedu Keshi,” Ado wrote.
“Our son, brother, father,
father-in-law,brother-in-law, has gone to be with his wife of 35 years (Nkem),
Mrs. Kate Keshi, who passed on on the 9th December 2015.
“Since her death, Keshi has been in mourning. He
came back to Nigeria to be with her. He had planned to fly back today Wednesday,
before he suffered a cardiac arrest. He has found rest. We thank God for his life.
“We want to ask for understanding in this very
difficult time for the family.”
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